The American Legion members residing in Ridgefield , Wa . came together in the years before applying for a Charter
It was granted in 2009. The location was developed in old town Ridgefield on Pioneer Street on grounds of automotive shop.
The original Wells Armstrong Post 44 came to be just after WW1. The name was changed to Wells Thomas Post 44 later in WW2 to recognize the KIA of George Thomas.
When The Post 44 gradually lost membership in the 1990s, the Commander, Wayne Sharp held meetings at Post 176, Salmon Creek nearby. Gradually the members felt that transferring to Post 176 was more practical .This resulted in the post expiring in 1997. Property and records stored at Post 176. Wayne Sharp evolved into leadership at Post 176.
When Post 44 came back into being and was chartered in 2009 the old property , records were returned from 176 to 44. The rifles whereabouts were unknown ( CDR Gary Zelm 176 statement to CDR Laycoe 44 in 2015. " They were here but then were not years later"
Post 44 had relationship with La Center Post 189 and began storing and using 8 of their rifles.
Post 44 lost the physical location of their post at automotive shop due to dispute in 2016+. Soon after the rifles were returned to 189 when city decided to destroy old jail where they were stored.
